Hello, and thank you for reading my story.

My name is Ashley Holland, and I am a rising second year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. I have dreams of becoming a dual specialty physician in Emergency Medicine and Infectious Disease, with the ultimate goal of being equipped to treat patients with rare diseases in places with limited resources. The treatment of rare or otherwise uncommon diseases to the United States requires hands on experience with the vulnerable communities and an understanding of how they have been able to manage on their own. It also requires a passion for global health and a level of cultural competence in order to completely understand and empathize with people from other cultures.

This summer I have the wonderful opportunity to expand my worldview and foster my love for global and public health by visiting 2 countries on completely opposite sides of the healthcare system:

First, I will travel to the Himalayas in Delhi, India to study traditional medicine. There I will learn about the traditional herbs and remedies that people living in the Himalayan mountains use to cure themselves of disease.

Next, I will travel to Ferrara, Italy. There I will spend time in the hospitals learning about the Italian healthcare system. I will also be able to learn directly from Italian doctors and make lifelong connections that may benefit my future patients.

My expectation for both trips is to learn all that I can about the different forms of healthcare, different healthcare systems, and the different patient populations that I would not normally be able to see on a daily basis. My plan is to be able to incorporate everything that I learn and implement it into practice to make me the best doctor that I can be.

I am reaching out in hopes that you will support me on my journey. No contribution is too small, and all gifts are very much appreciated! Your gift would help me to pay for the following expenses:

-Flights

-Ground transportation

-Meals for 4 weeks

-Accommodations

-Medical and travel insurance

-Cultural immersion experiences

If you are unable to contribute at this time, your prayers and well wishes are accepted with gratitude.

Thank you so much for reading and for your continued support! I am very excited for the possibilities that are yet to come.

With appreciation and gratitude,

Student Doctor Ashley Holland